Theater Review: “The Hunchback of Notre Dame" at Joel Barlow High

Joel Barlow High School in Redding will be presenting the ambitious musical “The Hunchback of Notre Dame" this weekend only in the school’s auditorium. Performances are May 19, 20 and 21.

Based on the 1996 Disney film and Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” tells the story of Quasimodo, the hunchback bell-ringer of Notre Dame, and his desire to one day be a part of the outside world. With a book by Peter Parnell and beautifully written music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, this is a stirring musical.

After premiering in Berlin, Germany, the English-language musical “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” with a revised libretto, made its debut at La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego in 2014. The production featured Sacra-Profana, a local 32-voice chorus, appearing onstage during the entire show.

Subsequently, the show went on to open in 2015 at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey, with more changes in the libretto, where it closed after it was announced that it would not move to Broadway.

I was invited to preview the show at one of the cast’s dress rehearsals and I was able to experience the first act of the performance. “Hunchback” marks the high school’s “perhaps ever” second musical production of the year.

In this first act, Quasimodo summons the courage to attend the Feast of Fools and meets Esmeralda, a compassionate gypsy who protects him from an angry mob. At the same time, Quasimodo’s master, the archdeacon Dom Claude Frollo, and the new captain of the guard, Phoebus de Martin, fall in love with the beautiful girl.

Matthew Farina directed the students with much dedication and it shows in their performances. Samantha Murtha is also on the production team.

Farina and Murtha thank all of the students that came out to audition. “We appreciate the time you put into preparing for auditions (and for some of you, callbacks too) and recognize the value each of you will bring to this production!” The team acknowledged that some of the high school students may have been disappointed that they did not receive any of the five named roles, but reminded them that the ensemble is a huge part of “Hunchback.”

In fact, in this director’s vision, the ensemble is actually on stage for the majority of the show. There are also many solos, both singing and speaking, that were assigned to various cast members. This strong presence of the other cast members is judiciously staged and is very effective both visually and in the telling of the story.

Because the printed program was not available for the rehearsal that I attended, I was able to secure a cast list, as well as the list of the student crew members.

Quasimodo is brought to life by Jackson Bennett. The young actor actually transforms into the Hunchback in front of the audience, marking his face, attaching the hump, and donning the iconic hooded cape.

Jared Shuford plays the pious Claude Frollo. This young performer has a wonderfully deep speaking voice and an excellent singing voice that adds so much to his portrayal of this character.

Esmeralda is embodied by Naila Carter. She brings out the strong character of the gypsy girl who loves to dance and sings beautifully.

In supporting roles, Kieran Nevins plays the soldier Captain Phoebus de Martin and Olive Heres portrays Clopin Trouillefou.

By using two metal rolling staircases, Farina directs the gargoyle characters to suggest the belltower. There are also two rolling railings that are used well. There is a large round stained glass window at the back of the stage, against which some effective shadows are cast. A collection of mismatched wooden chairs flesh out the setting. Witchcraft elements are achieved with lighting.

The talented members of the all-important ensemble include Finn Bermingham, Abby Bonoff, Maya Cotter, Shannon Darmofal, Andrew Kopec, Simone Lupo , Alexia Sanchez, Emily Seanor, Genevieve Seanor, Sydney Toro, Lila Voytek, Lucy Walker and Avery Young.

Ella Graziano is the Production Stage Manager.

Rhea Arora and Mi-Hyun Dechavanne will be on sound, and Kaaren Davis, Angela Humphrey and Samangini Kalita on lighting, with Randy Rivera as spot operator.

Also on the crew are Stefanie Astudillo, Margot Fischer, Dewey Gray, Nate Knorr, Sage Oliver and Anna Pardo.

Duncan Martin was assigned to props with Cassi Neal-Noschese and Julia Vassallo on costumes/hair/make up. Overall, the costumes were quite impressive, with everyone in the ensemble wearing the gray gargoyle coat atop their other costume.

If you have never seen “Hunchback,” and even if you have, the Joel Barlow production is well-worth seeing this weekend.

Showtimes are:
Friday, May 19th 7:00 pm
Saturday, May 20th 2:00 & 7:00 pm
Sunday, May 21st 2:00 pm

All photos courtesy of Matthew Farina

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. She recently became a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theatre reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.